Pietro Antonio Locatelli

A Latvian chamber orchestra playing Italian Baroque music? Well, yes... And quite stylishly, too. With violinist Sandrine Cantoreggi taking the soloist's lead, this is a most enjoyable set of performances. Now, Cantoreggi is Luxembourg born and raised. She nevertheless plays these works by Locatelli with all the verve, panache, and energy of someone born to this music.

A century before the demonically inspired caricatures of Paganini appeared, Pietro Locatelli was already pushing the boundaries on what was possible on the violin. His landmark Opus 3 publication, subtitled “The Art of the Violin,” includes 12 concertos and 24 caprices that continue to test the mettle of all who would dare perform them.

The Latvian Chamber Orchestra plays with precision, articulation, intonation, dynamics--simply everything one may wish to hear in an ensemble. Cantoreggi's playing is pleasing and her intonation is solid. But keep in mind these are bravura pieces. Occasionally, on the extraordinarily fast passages played very high and up near the bridge of her instrument, there may be a bit of a slip or screech. But for me these minor points don't detract from my great enjoyment of these performances from Cantoreggi. She plays with sweetness, heart, conviction, and a great deal of skill. I'll take that any day.

Most enjoyable!

Ms. Cantoreggi, who hails from Luxembourg, plays a rare 18th century violin provided by the Banque Internationale à Luxembourg - BIL. She has selected for her program three illustrative concertos from a set of 12 concertos and 24 caprices by the 17th/18th-century violin virtuoso and composer Locatelli.He performed all the noted Italian composers of the time but broke some new grounds with his collection The Art of the Violin. No one before him had advanced the virtuosity quite as far nor explored the highest reaches of the instrument’s pitch range. His imagination and innovation was unique and Cantoreggi obviously feels in perfect tune with his music.

This is not just more of the same Vivaldi or Corelli; Locatelli in this violinist’s hands is something very special. I found this the most enjoyable Baroque program I have heard in ages, and the detailed sonics and surround acoustics don’t hurt the impression a bit. Highly recommended.